Off Road Basics | Water Crossings - What to Know, Before you Go Off Road

[@husker_nation]

I'm new to overlanding and I really appreciate this advice!

[@pscruising5486]

Brad we just were on the Hassayampa River near Wickenburg AZ, which is normally a wash. I had read somewhere that people were saying that the pools are getting alarmingly deep. They were right. We got so lucky. First crossing was firm bottom and about a foot and a half. Second crossing was a major pucker! And we had to turn around cuz there was no way out other than the way we came in. Wifey waded the return route. Got some on vid and will post it. Water was almost over the hood but she got back through it. Then a tricked out Ruby and an older 4Runner drove up. We warned them that it was deep and they just chuffed at our WK2 "Mall Crawler". Long story short. They buried the 4Runner in the middle at about 2 and a half feet of water with a soft bottom. They Ruby had to save them. Good lesson learned and dont ever laugh at a WK2! Cheers and see ya soon in Moab!

[@ProdigalOverland]

Wow, Sounds like you guys dodges a bullet. Glad you and your jeep made it out ok! See ya soon!

[@sinkieclan6403]

This video makes a good point. If going solo, be able to self recover. If not, have a buddy. Then make sure you have the tools to do what Brad suggests (spark plug removal). This makes me think it would be wise to have a backup air filter in the kit in case it gets wet.

[@Inferno45]

This channel is so underrated. You should be getting way more views. 👍🏻

[@mlgbat]

Hello Brad, new to your channel and loving it. I have a 2019 Trailhawk (same color). My question: in all your adventures has water entered your interior from door seals or other? Besides an open window...haha. Thank you!

[@azfersaeed1602]

Great advice about the spark plugs

[@markmcwilliams2461]

Excellent video covering a checklist of what not to do if you dunk-her. Thanks. Always check depth and bottom structure and avoid it :) Or let someone else go first!

[@buddyreno9037]

👍 Awesome informative video, and thanks for the feature!

[@ProdigalOverland]

Buddy S. Reno Thanks Buddy. And your welcome for the feature. 😁

[@alihsas]

Thank you so much from KSA.

[@ProdigalOverland]

Absolutely!

[@crbezada7615]

Brad I just wanted to go fast! lol great video! Had a blast! -CR

[@ProdigalOverland]

seeare next time let’s get that big lifted truck out there!

[@crbezada7615]

Prodigal Overland I’m looking forward to it! FCA US family haha! I will be looking out for the next one y’all do close by or for the ones in Arkansas!

[@srtabc123]

Awesome video. I definitely learned a lot that day with y’all. I’m currently putting my Chief Products transmission skid plate, sump guard and lower front guard on. I actually completely destroyed and ripped in half my factory plastic transmission guard and it was pushed up against the pan as well as shredding my lower sump guard as was shown in the last video. I uploaded another angle of the water shooting through my grill on my page. Keep up the awesome work! Love all the content as always.

[@ProdigalOverland]

Glad you got the protection coming!

[@ikedichukwuchesa413]

Great video. Please any suggestions of Crossovers or minivans in the class of the Mercedes R350 that can do fairly okay in deep water ( front grill level water )

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

Awesome ! Good advice!

[@mohnster4000]

Great video! I thought the beginning was from the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

[@ProdigalOverland]

😂 Too funny

[@geshuntite8841]

9:27 imagine a person stuck in water alone, without a winch in his gc using the last few percent of his phone's battery to hopefully figure out what can save him only to arrive at this exact moment in the video ... Hhaha

[@itzreece6347]

Is that watering fording the same across all trims of the WK2? This was very helpful and I absolutely love this channel.

[@ProdigalOverland]

I would think it’s a little lower on a stock coils suspension. But I’m not sure.

[@Neil-clare]

A snorkel would help a great deal!

[@angrymuffinsb]

Probably a stupid question; are diesels the same regarding water ingestion?

[@mrhagstv]

Love your content!

[@ProdigalOverland]

Thanks!

[@rodgarrett32]

How deep can you go ?

[@LuisPedroCalmetOtero]

Very cool and great advice! I have a question, picking on your brain. I live in Peru and own a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4*4. Do you think I should lift and protect it to go off-road? If so, how much? Thanks in advance!

[@ProdigalOverland]

Luis Pedro Calmet Otero I’m not sure what trails look like in Peru but a 2 inch lift is essentially what the Trailhawk has. And yes. Adding protection will allow you to do more. But it’s good to ease slowly into it.

[@LuisPedroCalmetOtero]

@@ProdigalOverland thanks a lot for the answer! We have the Andes on our backyard, with some roads in really bad conditions, mostly dirt, holes and mud. I'll take your advice and start with a 2 inch lift, see how the regular drive feels. Again, I’m grateful for your answer, and please keep making awesome vids!

[@ProdigalOverland]

Luis Pedro Calmet Otero good plan!

[@sanderhenkkooistra1178]

Brad. Do you have breather for the diff and transmission?

[@ProdigalOverland]

Here is the best info I could find on what comes stock. www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133970 See the comments from Bill at Chief Products. I can tell you that I have changed the fluid in the transfer case and both differentials after all of our mud and water stuff and at 63000 miles. And it all looked good. The rear was the dirtiest but not terrible by any means. Hope that helps.

[@Japplesnap]

No mention of water intrusion int o the cabin? And what would happen to the battery and the air suspension control modules under the front seats? No mention of differential breathers? Transfer case breather? Transmission breather?

[@tgvaillancourt]

I don't have kids but the dogs work good as long as they aren't going back in the Jeep after checking water depth lol

[@ProdigalOverland]

Yes for sure!

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

ALL trail rated Jeeps are rated at 19 inches minimum.

[@exoplanetnomad]

Will you eventually get a snorkel?!!!

[@ProdigalOverland]

I guess it depends how deep the water crossings get. It’s not high on the priority list right now.

[@tgvaillancourt]

Even with a snorkel I'd be worried about the alternator. Them smart alternators ain't cheap

[@stout_tossme7541]

The upside...my wife loves water. She will walk it. Lol

[@ProdigalOverland]

Good for you!

[@mrhagstv]

First!